Plant carrier with pull-out remover

ABSTRACT

A system of plastic plant trays is disclosed for conveniently transporting, displaying and removing (for planting) young plants or seedlings. In the preferred embodiment, each tray comprises a plurality of cells for removably housing the plants; unique pull-out tabs for gently lifting plants atop them from individual cells; and a color-coded handle that identifies the price of the plants. By pulling up on a dangling end of a tab, a gardener can lift and later extract a plant with minimal damage to its roots or flowers.

This application is a Re-Issue of application Ser No. 09/010/242, filedJan. 21, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,009, which claims benefit ofapplication Ser. No. 60/045,654, filed May 5, 1997. This “regular”patent application is based (in part) upon a “provisional” patentapplication, entitled “POP-UP REMOVER FOR PLANTS”, application Ser. No.60/045,654, filed May 5, 1997, by the same inventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the removal of garden plants or seedlings fromplastic trays. More specifically, it deals with a simple system by whichyoung plants or seedlings can be lifted without the soil bases crumblingor the roots or flowers being damaged.

Young garden plants are typically displayed and sold to customers inplastic containers. Those containers are sometimes individual units.More often, they are removably linked together (e.g, by scored orperforated tabs) to form a chain of cell packs. The chain can be brokenanywhere along its length. That enables a user to purchase only theamount desired.

Cell packs assist customers, but they present multiple problems forretailers. Customers often leave displays in disarray, upon breaking offa string of such packs. This gives the impression that the plants arenot being attended to or nourished. Constant maintenance is required tokeep the displays attractive so that customers will purchase items fromthem.

The following illustrates a typical scene at garden centers: a novicegardener spots the orange marigolds she has been looking for in theretailer's just stocked plant display. As she reaches in to break offthe desired “chain amount” of packs, her handbag dangles from her arm,snapping blooms from the adjacent flat of plants. The desired string ofpacks resists breaking loose from the remainder of the chain in theflat. Finally it rips loose, pulling two or more packs up, out of theflat, left lying askew against some more broken marigolds.

The problem does not stop there| Our novice gardener now is home readyto plant her orange marigolds. She is afraid to pull hard on the plantsto extract them from the cells: they may break. Pushing from the bottomof a cell causes the plastic frame to wrinkle. Finally she goes inside,gets a pair of scissors and snips the plastic from around the plant.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide a system of plant trays that overcomes the deficiencies of theprior art.

It is another general object to provide a simple system of plastictrays, with different plant counts, by which young plants or seedlingscan be removed or lifted without the soil bases crumbling or the rootsor flowers being damaged.

It is a more specific object to provide such a system with pull-out tabsto gently lift the plants from their individual cells.

It is yet another object to provide a series of trays, commensurate withthe above-listed objects, that are identical in width and length toassist retailers in maintaining the ordered appearance of displays.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A unique system of plant trays is disclosed for the easy removal ofplants or seedlings without the soil bases crumbling or the roots orflowers being damaged. In the preferred embodiment, the trays areplastic. They are constant in overall width and length; but, theycontain different numbered cells to house multiple counts of varioussized plants. For example, a four-cell tray (a.k.a. “pack”), constructedin accordance with this invention, houses four plants that areproportionally larger than the smaller plants housed in a six-pack.

Each tray has multiple rows of cells. Pull-out ribbon-like tabs arelocated under the plants housed in the cells. Each tab is removablyattached, at one end, to a wall of the tray, while the other tab endextends freely over an opposing wall. A user can remove a plant from acell for potting or planting by lifting the free end. This gently popsup the plant with minimal damage.

The trays also preferably have different colored handles that identifythe sizes of the plants housed, plus their prices. Each handle has aruler on its reverse side to assist the user in planting the seedlingsthe appropriate distance apart in his/her garden.

The above and other objects and advantages may become more readilyapparent upon viewing the accompanying drawings and reading the moredetailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-6 are top perspective views of various cell packs, constructedin accordance with the present invention, which are designed to housedifferent counts of various sized plants;

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate the front and back, respectively, of a carryinghandle for one of the packs;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a six-pack, shown in FIG. 2, with apull-out tab suspended above and some representative plants being shown;and

FIG. 10 illustrates an overhead view of the six-pack of FIG. 2, but withthe plants and tabs removed for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawing in detail, a system of plastic plant trays isexemplified in FIGS. 1-6, with these trays being generally designated bythe reference numerals 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. The trays are marketedunder the trademark WING™ PAK by GROWER DIRECT® of Somers, Conn.

In the preferred embodiment, each tray (e.g., 12) comprises a pluralityof cells (e.g., 22a-22f) for removably housing young plants or seedlings(e.g., 24, 26, 28); pull-out tabs (e.g., 30a, 30b) for gently liftingthe plants from their individual cells; and a color-coded handle (e.g.,32) that identifies the price of the plants.

As best shown in FIG. 10, each tray (e.g., 12) has the same length L andwidth W as the other trays (10, 14, 16, 18, 20) in the series. Theircells (e.g., 22f) have side and bottom walls (e.g., 33a-d) and topopenings.

The illustrated trays have different plant counts (i.e., their number ofcells differ). For example, FIG. 1 shows a tray 10 with four cells34a-d. It is called a four-pack. FIG. 2 shows a tray 12 with six cells22a-f that are smaller or shorter, to house smaller species of plants.

Similarly, looking at FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, trays 14, 16, 18, 20 aredesigned to house progressively smaller plants (not shown), but thenumber of cells in each increases. Tray 14 depicts a nine-pack; tray 16a sixteen-pack; and tray 20 a twenty-pack.

This plant packaging system incorporates a one size fits all approach;yet there is maximum flexibility. Using trays with different plantcounts, the system is able to handle a wide selection of garden plants.Yet each species takes up the same space on a display flat (or shelf)because one size fits all.

Aside from their uniform perimeters, each tray includes the uniquepull-out tabs mentioned above (e.g., 30a, 30b). These tabs allow agardener to gently lift a plant (e.g., 28) out of its cell for removaland planting without damaging the foliage or any delicate rootstructure. How this is accomplished is best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 9 depicts tray 12, which is a six-pack with two identical rows 36a,36b of three cells 22a-c, 22d-f. Identical tabs 30a, 30b are designed tofit into these rows.

Each tab is preferably made of plastic. Each has pre-formed U-shapedsupports (e.g., 40a, 40b, 40c) that are interconnected by horizontalshoulders (e.g., 42a, 42b). These shoulders are adapted to straddle thetops (e.g., 44a, 44b) of walls between adjacent cells.

First, the ribbon-like tab (e.g., 30b) is lowered into a row (e.g., 36b)of cells. Then, a truncated-V-shaped insert end 46 is threaded under andup through a slit (e.g., 48a or 48b) in an overhanging rim 49. This rimis integral with the outermost left-hand wall (e.g., 50) of that cellrow (36a or 36b); and it extends around the entire tray, as best shownin FIG. 9.

While the tab's insert end 46 is held within the slit (e.g., 48a or48b), the tab's opposite end (e.g., 52) is allowed to freely drape overthe outermost right-hand wall (e.g., 54) of that cell row (e.g., 36b).This free end (e.g., 52) can be easily grabbed between a user's thumband forefinger (see FIG. 9), when desired. Note that the insert end 46provides a gentle fulcrum for removing a plant (e.g., 26) from the lastor left-hand cell (e.g., 22a).

Once the insert end 46 is secured, soil media is poured into the cells(e.g., 22d-f), atop the tab (e.g., 30b). Then, transplants (e.g., 26,28) are placed into the soil filled cells, where they are typicallyallowed to grow. At the time of sufficient growth, the packs aretransported to the retailer's establishment for display and sale.

The display is assisted through the use of different colored handles 32,56, 58, 60, 62, 64 (color not shown). Each color denotes a sales priceto the retailer and allows him/her to determine the retail selling priceby color. Any colors could be chosen, and Applicant believes that hisarbitrary color scheme identifies his system.

Each handle 32, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64 has pronged ends (e.g., 66, 68)resembling truncated arrowheads. These ends enable the handles to beremovably held within two slots (e.g., 70, 72) on opposite sides of thetrays, near their mid-lengths (see FIG. 10). Notches (e.g., 74a-b,76a-b) provide flexibility of the handle for comfortable carrying.

Along with the easy-to-use color coding on each of his handles,Applicant has imprinted a convenient ruler 78 on the back of everyhandle for experts and novices alike to use. No more guess work as tohow far apart or how deep to plant your plants.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that obviousstructural modifications can be made without departing from the spiritor scope of the invention. For example, the pull-out tabs (e.g., 30a,30b) could be made of pre-formed, wax impregnated paper. Or, they couldbe single U's. Accordingly, reference should be made primarily to theaccompanying claims, rather than the foregoing specification, todetermine the scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:
 1. A plant traycomprising: a. at least one row of integrally connected cells in thetray, wherein each cell has a plurality of side walls, a bottom wall,and a top opening, and the row of cells has a beginning and an end; b. aplurality of plants respectively housed within individual cells, whereinthe plants have soil bases and roots; and c. means for gently liftingthe plants from their individual cells without the soil bases crumblingand the roots being damaged and, said said means comprising: (i) apull-out tab that lines the row of cells with plants resting atop thetab, wherein the tab has pre-formed generally U-shaped supports that sitwithin the cells, with the plants respectively housed within individualU-shaped supports, wherein the soil bases of the housed plants are indirect contact with the U-shaped supports; (ii) the U-shaped supportsare interconnected by shoulders that straddle tops of side walls betweenadjacent cells; (iii) the tab has two ends, wherein one tab end isadjacent the beginning of the row of cells and the other tab end is afree end that extends beyond the end of the row of cells, over the tray,wherein the free end is adapted in size and shape to be grasped by aperson's thumb and forefinger and lifted with the supports remaininggenerally U-shaped; and (iv) the U-shaped supports each have a base, twoopposing side walls, two opposing side openings and a top opening,whereby the soil bases of plants housed within the U-shaped supports areaccessible directly through the side openings for removal of the plantsfrom their respective supports.
 2. The plant tray of claim 1 wherein theentire tray, including the pull-out tab, is made of plastic, whereby theU-shaped supports retain their shape upon the tab being lifted.
 3. Theplant tray of claim 1 wherein the one tab end is attached to the tray byan insert portion of the tab that is housed within a slit in the tray.4. A plant tray comprising: a. at least one row of integrally connectedcells in the tray, wherein each cell has a plurality of side walls, abottom wall, and a top opening, and the row of cells has a beginning andan end; b. a plurality of plants respectively housed within individualcells, wherein the plants have soil bases and roots; and c. means forgently lifting the plants from their individual cells without the soilbases crumbling and the roots being damaged and, said means comprising:(i) a pull-out tab that lines the row of cells with plants resting atopthe tab, wherein the tab has pre-formed generally U-shaped supports thatsit within the cells, with the plants respectively housed withinindividual U-shaped supports, wherein the soil bases of the housedplants are in direct contact with the U-shaped supports; (ii) theU-shaped supports are interconnected by shoulders that straddle tops ofside walls between adjacent cells; (iii) the tab has two ends, whereinone tab end is a free end that extends beyond the end of the row ofcells, over the tray, wherein the free end is adapted in size and shapeto be grasped by a person's thumb and forefinger and lifted with thesupports remaining generally U-shaped; and (iv) the U-shaped supportseach have a base, two opposing side walls, two opposing side openingsand a top opening, whereby the soil bases of plants housed within theU-shaped supports are accessible directly through the side openings forremoval of the plants from their respective supports.
 5. The plant trayof claim 4 wherein the entire tray, including the pull-out tab, is madeof plastic, whereby the U-shaped supports retain their shape upon thetab being lifted.
 6. The plant tray of claim 4 wherein the one tab endis attached to the tray, adjacent the beginning of the row of cells, byan insert portion of the tab that is housed within a slit in the tray.7. A device comprising: a. at least one cell having four side walls, abottom wall and a top opening; b. a plant housed within the cell,wherein the plant has a soil base and roots; and c. means for gentlylifting the plant from the cell without the soil base crumbling and theroots being damaged, and said means comprising: (i) a pull-out tabhaving a pre-formed generally U-shaped support that sits within the cellwith the plant resting atop the support, wherein the soil base of thehoused plant is in direct contact with the U-shaped support; (ii) thetab has at least one free end that extends beyond the cell, wherein thefree end is adapted in size and shaped to be grasped by a person's thumband forefinger and lifted with the plant within the support; and (iii)the U-shaped support has a base, two opposing side walls, two opposingside openings and a top opening, whereby the soil base of the planthoused within the support is accessible directly through the sideopenings for removal of the plant from the support.
 8. The tray of claim7 wherein the entire device, including the U-shaped support, is made ofplastic, whereby the U-shaped support retains its shape upon beinglifted.
 9. A plant tray comprising: a. at least one cell having fourside walls, a bottom wall, and a top opening; b. a plant housed withinthe cell, wherein the plant has a soil base and roots; and c. a pull-outtab having a pre-formed, generally U-shaped support that sits within thecell with the plant resting atop the support; wherein: (i) the soil baseof the housed plant is in direct contact with the U-shaped support; and(ii) the U-shaped support has a base, two opposing side walls, twoopposing side openings and a top opening, whereby the soil base of theplant housed within the support is accessible directly through the sideopenings for removal of the plant from the support when the tab islifted from the cell.
 10. The plant tray of claim 9 wherein the entiretray, including the pull-out tab, is made of plastic, whereby theU-shaped support retains its shape upon the tab being lifted from thecell.
 11. A plant tray comprising: a. at least one cell having four sidewalls, a bottom wall, and a top opening; b. a pull-out tab having apre-formed, generally U-shaped support that sits within the cell,wherein the U-shaped support has a base, two opposing side walls, twoopposing side openings and a top opening; and c. a plant with a soilbase and roots housed within the cell, wherein the plant rests atop thesupport and the soil base is in direct contact with the U-shapedsupport, whereby the soil base of the plant housed within the support isaccessible directly through the side openings for removal of the plantfrom the support when the tab is lifted from the cell.
 12. The planttray of claim 11 wherein the U-shaped support is made of plastic,whereby the U-shaped support substantially retains its shape upon thetab being lifted from the cell.